TGIF
I was only trying to help.
She was named “Momma Cat” in an astonishing lack of creativity by her owner.
After the unexpected death of her former owner, she ended up here with us.
She is ancient and frail and prone to seizures.
She loves the company of other felines and like the rest of us, is prone to wander.
The other night her wanderings had left her exhausted, dehydrated and hungry and I needed to get her back in the house to treat all three issues.
I went to lift her up, touched the wrong spot, and she bit my finger.
To the bone.
Worst cat bite I’ve ever had…and I’ve had a bunch of them.
It hurt.
A lot.
After doing some first aid on myself I managed to wrangle her back into the house and meet her needs.
The next day whilst making an appointment for a tetanus shot, the question arose in my mind…what if that had been a person who hurt me while I was trying to help them?
I might have retaliated physically.
I might have verbally assaulted them.
I would not have resumed trying to meet their needs.
They would no longer be allowed proximity to me.
My love for them may have ended with their decision to hurt me.
The truth is that this is not theoretical…I’ve been attacked many times by people when I was only trying to help.
So have you.
We cut those folks off and when it happens enough we stop trying to help anyone because we can still see and feel the scars from our previous interventions.
I had none of those thoughts about this little cat…I know she’s hurting and scared and when creatures are hurting and scared they hurt other creatures.
Just like we do.
Just like I do.
I didn’t have to forgive her because I didn’t take offense in the first place.
Love can’t be conditional on response to it.
Life hurts.
Love hurts.
Live.
Love.
Help.
We’ll compare scars when we get home.
Make your own application…
My friend Ted Haggard says a military medic told him that their most dangerous moment was the initial encounter with the wounded. He said their first job was to subdue the injured soldier. He said their initial reaction is to fight. Of course Ted took it as instructive concerning his own reaction to his self-inflicted wounds in ministry and the initial attempts to obfuscate, deny, and accuse.
I found that pretty instructive when dealing with wounded sojourners. I try to remember it but often lose my focus when something emotional is involved.
BD,
That is good stuff!
Amen. So good! Right on!
This is very profound. Much to think about. Thank you for that!!
Great observations, Michael. BD’s observation about a military medic is similar to what they tell you about saving drowning people….you must first subdue them to rescue them, or you will be drowned, too. It harkens back to Jacob wrestling with “the man”. His hip had to be disjointed before he would back down, and even still, demanded a blessing.
Pieces like this are why I will always keep checking your blog, old friend.
you are such a wonderful man, Michael. I love your heart for others.
Thanks, Anne…thanks, Dusty…I’m better with cats than people,but I’m trying.